What If a Parent Prohibits their Child’s Baptism? | Episode 266

About this sermon

What should a pastor do when a child sincerely wants to be baptized but a parent says no? In this episode of _Apostolic Life in the 21st Century,_ Dr. David K. Bernard addresses a difficult pastoral and biblical question that many churches eventually face: How should pastors respond when a minor desires to be baptized in Jesus’ name, but a parent refuses to give consent? Because Apostolic Pentecostals believe baptism is part of the biblical plan of salvation described in Acts 2:38, situations like this can create genuine tension. Pastors want to obey the Great Commission and respond to sincere spiritual hunger, yet they also recognize the God-given role and authority of parents. In this thoughtful and balanced discussion, Dr. Bernard explains why pastors should respect parental rights, apply the biblical principle of the Golden Rule, and trust in the grace and mercy of God when navigating sensitive family situations. He also addresses how a child’s age and maturity may affect the conversation and offers practical guidance for pastors seeking to handle these moments wisely and biblically. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why parental authority matters in situations involving minors • How pastors can navigate these conflicts with wisdom and compassion • The role of the Golden Rule in pastoral decision-making • Whether spiritual urgency overrides parental consent • How age and maturity can affect pastoral counsel • Why believers can trust the grace and justice of God Whether you are a pastor, parent, youth leader, or believer seeking biblical clarity, this episode provides practical insight for one of the most sensitive ministry situations churches can face today. This episode is part of the _Apostolic Life in the 21st Century_ podcast, where Dr. David K. Bernard answers questions about the Bible, Christian living, theology, and current issues from an Apostolic Pentecostal perspective. 🛒 Visit https://pentecostalpublishing.com/collections/david-k-bernard to shop Dr. Bernard's full catalog of published works. Enter promo code *DKB10* at checkout to save 10 percent on your order. ============================ Connect With Dr. David K. Bernard: ============================ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidkbernard.upci Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkbernardupci X: https://twitter.com/davidkbernard ===================================== Listen to Apostolic Life in the 21st Century on: ===================================== Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apostolic-life-in-the-21st-century/id1569404833 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29oEKyZAXievg3dyzdA63s?si=b7bdae8624774c61 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/5f9050c9-d2f3-440a-a7f4-184efcea0d13/apostolic-life-in-the-21st-century #ApostolicLife #DavidKBernard #Baptism #JesusNameBaptism #Acts238 #ApostolicPentecostal #UPCI #PastoralMinistry #Pentecostal #ChildBaptism #BibleQuestions #ChristianLeadership #HolyGhost #BiblicalTruth #GreatCommission #ChristianPodcast #Theology #PastorLife

Topics

• Parenting
• Baptism